Note' of embarrassment for V S Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM politburo will discuss the issue of granting Cabinet rank post to the veteran leader V S Achuthanandan who was LDF's lead campaigner during the recent Assembly polls. The issue has taken a new turn with reports coming out that Achuthandan had handed over a note regarding the post to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury at the venue of swearing in ceremony of LDF Government on Wednesday.

A section of regional media had taken the photograph of the note which mentioned; Advisor to the Government with Cabinet rank, LDF chairman, inclusion in state secretariat. Sources said Yechury had received the note from Achuthanandan who said these were the proposals coming up regarding his post.

However, the general secretary told him that the matter would be discussed by the politburo and such decisions have to be taken by the state government. Meanwhile, there were reports that the note was prepared by Achuthanandan's son Arun Kumar and sent through a personal staff to be handed over to Yechury.

It was meant for initiating a discussion on the proposal. However, Arun Kumar denied that he had sent the note. Achuthanandan’s son told a TV channel that he had not attended the swearing in ceremony. The entire incident has turned out to be a huge embarrassment for Achuthanandan who had said recently that he was not someone who would go after such positions. He has not yet reacted on the note controversy.

Meanwhile, Prakash Karat said all such matters would be discussed by the politburo. The state leadership was tight-lipped over the issue. Achuthanandan who had campaigned hard for the LDF had to pave the way for Pinarayi Vijayan as next chief minister after he was elected as the leader of CPM and LDF legislature party. Now the big question is what stand will Achuthanandan take should the new government offer him a Cabinet rank position.